A teenager with learning difficulties "pressured" into selling Class A drugs has avoided an immediate prison sentence after a judge offered him a "lifeline", and said there was hope he would reform.

Rhys Walkin was a drug user sent to peddle drugs on the streets of Bridlington after getting into debt with his suppliers, Hull Crown Court heard.

He was just 18 at the time and had fallen in with the "wrong people", but stopped taking drugs after arrest and was now trying to rebuild his life, the court heard.

Nigel Clive, prosecuting, said two police officers in Trinity Road, Bridlington, on May 25 last year, saw Walkin cycle up to a car and get in.

They asked him to get out, searched him, and found him in possession of £331.08, two mobile phones, and drugs. In total, there were 40 wraps of heroin, with a street value of £400, and 14 wraps of crack cocaine, worth £280.

Walkin, of North Parkway, Leeds, gave a "no comment" interview but later admitted two offences of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. He had no previous convictions. Richard Thompson, for Walkin, said he had been "under some pressure" to sell drugs.

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"He seems to have stopped taking drugs," Mr Thompson said. "Speaking with his mother this morning, she confirms the change in him since he was arrested and released."

Walkin's mother, a data analyst, was then called into the witness box to give evidence before Judge Jeremy Richardson QC.

Asked how he got involved with drugs, she said: "Just wrong people." She described him when taking drugs as "not a very nice person, but he has changed, totally different".

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Miss Walkin said the family were trying to get him a place at college and it was hoped he could work with his brother, a plasterer.

"He has learning difficulties and he's borderline ADHD," she said. Miss Walkin said they also planned to spend time at their caravan in Hornsea.

"Hornsea's a nice place," the judge said.

Walkin, now 19, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and was placed under a six-month curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am. The judge also said he would have him back in court for regular reviews.

"Have you been to a prison?" he asked Walkin. "No, never," he replied.

The judge said: "It would be a very unpleasant experience to someone like you. You would be a very vulnerable person and I have no doubt that the thoroughly wicked people that there are in prisons would exploit you dreadfully.

"One of the purposes of sentencing is the concept of rehabilitation when appropriate, and I take the view that there is a real prospect of rehabilitation in your case. I may be wrong, but that will soon emerge.

"I'm giving you a real lifeline; it's up to you what you choose to do with that lifeline. I'm taking a wholly exceptional course of action. It must not be misinterpreted. Ordinarily, people like you who do this sort of thing go to jail and the only issue is how long for, but in this case I think there is hope that you will reform.

"Now get a grip of your life. Choose your friends rather better in the future and stay away from drugs and any form of crime. One step out of line; that's it. Any breaches are reserved to me, and you will go to jail. Do you understand?"